Geneva students use Spanish custom to boost soldiers

Hundreds of paper shoes with treats will be sent to troops

Geneva middle schoolers Emma Johlie, Monica Haughan and Tristan Williams, all 13, load bags to send to military men and women overseas. (Alexa Aguilar, Special to the Tribune)

Hundreds of paper shoes filled with goodies soon will be making their way across the world, courtesy of about 300 Geneva middle-schoolers.

Spanish teachers at Geneva Middle School North and Geneva Middle School South combined a lesson about a cultural custom with a little charity by recreating shoes that children in several Spanish-speaking countries set out for Three Kings Day in hopes they will be filled with presents.

These shoes — paper ones colored with markers — were filled with food and toiletries by eighth-grade Spanish students and will be sent overseas by Fox Valley Troop Support Inc. to boost the spirits of soldiers stationed in other countries.

"We were already learning about the custom," said Christina Lindahl, the Spanish teacher at Geneva Middle School South. "So we thought, let's tie this into a service project."

Students responded enthusiastically, donating more than 2,000 items to stuff into the shoes and gift bags. Items included everything from tea bags, cans of tuna and ramen noodles to Pop Tarts and peanut butter.

Each of the estimated 300 bags will include the paper shoe, food and gifts, a handwritten note from each student, and a sticker explaining the custom of the Dia de los Reyes Magos.

"Dear Soldier, On the night of Jan. 5th, children in Latin American and Spain will put straw in their shoes and leave them by their beds in hopes that the Reyes Magos (Three Kings) will leave them gifts in their shoes while they sleep," the sticker read. "We leave these 'shoes' full of gifts for you and thank you so much for your service, especially during this holiday season. While away from your families, please know that your service is not forgotten."

Lindahl said the class teaches language, but just as importantly, culture and customs.

"It's not just about the grammar," Lindahl said.

"I think it's really cool that we can do this and also put in the Spanish culture," said Spencer Jensen, 13. "It's a way to show the troops that we are still thinking of you."

Kristin Higgins, 13, knows how much small gestures can mean to the men and women stationed overseas. When a family member was stationed in Afghanistan a few years ago, her class sent letters, and she later heard from him how much those letters meant.

"And those were just letters," she said. "I think this is even better."